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Does your child need glasses? We’ve got tips for you!

Posted on: May 3, 2017

A lot goes into raising a happy and healthy child. Between things like finding the right neighbourhood to call home, finding a school, and general day-to-day hassles that come with raising a child, finding out they need glasses may seem like one more concern to tack onto an ever growing to-do list. However, it doesn’t have to be difficult. With these tips, transitioning your child to a life with glasses will be simple and easy.

Children all have unique needs, so it is important to consider some of these when choosing your child’s new glasses. Things like how active they are, if they are allergic to any specific materials, and factors such as these should be accounted for when you make your trip to the eye doctor. Be sure to discuss these this with your ophthalmologist and ask their advice on picking the right glasses for your child.

Another thing that is very important is discussing with them steps they can take to properly maintain their new glasses on their own. It may seem like common sense, but this is an important tip that can greatly improve the lifespan of your child’s new glasses. Especially with younger children, it is important to reinforce good habits such as using the proper materials for cleaning, as well as always placing them back in the case when not in use. It may make the difference between buying a new pair in a month when they break or get scratched up or lasting all the way until the next trip to the eye doctor.

Along with teaching your child the responsibility that comes with their new glasses, it is also important for you as a parent to help them transition comfortably into wearing them. It is a big change for them, and one that might seem scary or strange at first. Help them to understand why they’re an important new addition to their life, and that it’s not such a big deal to wear them.

As a parent, you should also consider preparing your child for potentially hurtful things other children might say or do as a result of their glasses. Kids can be mean, and it only takes one bully teasing your child to ruin their day. Let them know that there is nothing wrong with wearing glasses, and that great people all throughout history have worn them as well. Things like this can go a long way in boosting their confidence and helping them deal with insensitive and hurtful words that may be thrown their way.

You should also discuss your child’s needs with their teacher. Especially for children with worse eyesight, it is important for their teachers to know about factors such as these because it may greatly impact their learning. If a child is sitting too far away, for example, he may miss out on important details being taught that could hurt his school performance. This is why it is always important to discuss these things with your child’s teacher.